According to reports, the New York Yankees have yet to extend an official offer to Manny Machado, but they’re not out on the superstar.
The New York Yankees and Manny Machado have been linked for the past couple of years. Machado’s eventual signing with the Yanks seemed predestined at times. But as the calendar inches closer to Spring Training, the prospect of a Machado-Yankees partnership appears less likely.
The Yankees have yet to extend an official offer according to multiple reports. They aren’t backing out of the Machado sweepstakes, but they don’t appear to be leading the charge to sign the superstar infielder.
Word is, Machado camp still seeking 300M plus. ChiSox, Phillies not believed to be close to that ask (though exact current offers aren’t known, and can change). Meanwhile, Yanks, believed to be preferred destination, have yet to make official offer. Still no word of mystery team.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 9, 2019
The #Yankees’ stance has not changed one iota in Manny Machado talks. They have talked financial concepts with Machado, but have yet to make official offer. Certainly, they have not backed out of Machado sweepstakes with #WhiteSox and #Phillies leading the way.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 10, 2019
There are two ways for the Yanks to proceed from here. The first possibility is that the Yankees are not completely sold on Machado — at least not for his asking price.
The second possibility is that the Yanks are playing it coy and waiting for the right time to up their offer and seal the deal. They know that Machado is looking for a reason to sign with New York and they think they can sign him to a more favorable contract if they can wait him out.
Either scenario is possible, but the first is definitely more likely. If the Yankees really wanted to sign Machado, they have the resources to do so in a heartbeat.
Furthermore, the market for free agents has dramatically shifted over the last two seasons. Teams are not willing to dole out massive contracts anymore. While many believed that teams were gearing up for the loaded free agent class in 2019, Machado’s struggle to lock up a $300 million contract shows just how much the market has shifted.